When the Colorado Rapids suit up against Real Espana tomorrow night in CONCACAF Champions League group play, they will be without their regular goalkeeper, without their captain and without one of their top defenders.

Rapids posted their complete travel roster for the trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras on their official site today, but goalkeeper Matt Pickens, midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and defender Marvell Wynne were not listed.

Gary Smith, who has reiterated he will field a competitive and capable squad in the CCL, will likely start with Steward Ceus between the pipes, giving Pickens his first rest since the season began back in March and also saving him from having to make the international trip.

In midfield, Rapids will have all of their regulars other than Mastroeni and the injured Jamie Smith. Again, the decision not to bring the captain to Honduras with a trip to Chicago four days later was probably made to save Mastroeni, who turns 35 this month, a little wear and tear. Joseph Nane has proved capable of pairing with Jeff Larentowicz in Mastroeni’s absence and did make the trip.

Caleb Folan, who is clearly rounding into form of late and looks deadly with his head on high services into the box, will also be at Smith’s disposal.

In the closing minutes of the match against Chivas USA, Smith assembled a lineup that included Kandji, Folan, Cummings and Nyassi. If you enjoy creative attacking play like I do, you’re probably in favor of seeing this unit on the field together again for a longer period of time. But remember, it was this unit that gave up the equalizer.

WEATHER

In case you were concerned that Hurricane Irene is in the Caribbean at the same time the Rapids are in central America, fear not. I’m no meteorologist, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I did check weather.com. The current weather model shows Irene on track for the Bahamas and then on to Florida, so it should not affect the match. The Weather Channel calls for scattered early thunderstorms tomorrow in San Pedro Sula, 40 percent chance of precipitation and temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Sounds like it will be hot and humid for the match, which could affect the personnel decisions.